Sterilizing receptacle



Dec. 9, 1941. 2. A. WARD STERILIZING RECEPTACLE Filed July 1, '1959 2 Shets-Sheet 1 (ZZZ-1211.

Dec. 9, 1941; z. A. WARD 2,265,680

STERILIZ ING RECEPTACLE Filed July 1, 1959 Sheets-Sheet 2 z lZ 6 ZeZZa fljl arai Patented Dec. 9, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STERILIZING EECEPTACLE Zella. Alberta Ward, Omaha, Nebr.

Application July 1, 1939,, Serial No. 282,502

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a sterilizing receptacle, and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind especially designed and adapted for use in connection with obstetrical packs, douche pans, trays and other kindred articles and wherein is eliminated the use of pins.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind wherein an article placed therein may be quickly and easily removed without liability of contamination.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved sterilizing receptacle whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a view in plan of a blank sheet of material from which the improved receptacle is to be formed;

Figure 2 is a view in top plan of the receptacle as herein disclosed with the flaps extended;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the device partly folded;

Figure 4 is a view in top plan of the device completely folded;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line of Figure 4.

My improved receptacle, or cover as it may also be called, is formed from a sheet of crash or other suitable material of desired dimensions through which sterilizing fluids will readily pass and which sheet has one end portion returned to provide the overlying walls I and 2 having their end marginal portions connected by the rows 3 of stitching or otherwise as may be preferred. These walls I and 2 provide a pocket or receptacle which is adapted to receive an obsetrical pack, a douche pan, or kindred article.

The inner wall I has secured to its outer face closely adjacent to and along the line of fold 4 connecting the walls I. and 2 a separable fastening strip 5.

Secured to the wall 2 closely adjacent to the fold 4 and extending beyond said fold 4 is a tab 6. This tab 6 is preferablypositioned mid.- way the ends of the wall 2. The margin of the wall 2 of the receptacle or pocket extending across the open end of said receptacle or pocket is continued to provide a flap 1 of dimensions substantially the same as the dimensions of the wall I or 2. This flap 1 is continued by a second flap B of substantially the same dimensions as the flap l. Extending across the outer margin of the flap 1 and secured to the outer surface thereof is a second separable fastening strip 9, said strip serving to establish a demarcation between the flaps l and 8. The flap 1 at its ends is provided with the outstanding flaps It adapted to be folded inwardly of the flap 1.

Stitched or otherwise secured, as at II, to the inner face of the flap 1 at a point relatively close to the wall 2 is an end portion of an elongated strip l2 of muslin or other desired material and which is preferably, in practice, about three inches in width. This strip I2 is of such length as to loop around an obstetrical pack, douche pan, or other kindred device as inserted within the receptacle or pocket with the free end portion of the strip extending a material distance outwardly from said opening or entrance for the receptacle or pocket. This free extended portion is adapted to be grasped by the hand to facilitate pulling out the pack or the like within the pocket or receptacle.

After the desired article has been placed within the receptacle or pocket as afforded by the walls I and 2, the flap 8 is folded over the flap 1 and then the two folded flaps II] are folded inwardly over the overlapping flaps I and 8. These folded fiaps 1, 8 and H! are then folded to overlie the wall of the receptacle or pocket. This will bring into proper relation the fastening strips 5 and 9 which are caused to interlock in a conventional manner upon proper manipulation of a slide it. The package is then ready to be placed within the sterilizer and it is to be stated that the flaps ID are of particular advantage in that aside from giving added protection in sterilizing, such flaps particularly serve to prevent any gaps or air spaces for dust to accumulate after the package has been removed from the sterilizer.

When it is desired to remove the article within the receptacle or pocket the slide 14 is adjusted to permit separation of the strips 9 and 5 thus permitting the flaps I and 8 to be extended in flattened arrangement to receive the article within the receptacle or pocket when withdrawn therefrom by pull gupon the extended free end portion of the strip I2. In this operation of drawing the article from within the pocket or receptacle, the tab 6 is held by one hand of the nurse or other person while the extended portion of the strip I2 is grasped by the other hand. By extending the flaps I and 8 it will at once be apparent that the article as withdrawn from within the receptacle or pocket will be received on sterilized material free of contamination which otherwise would be liable to occur if the article was withdrawn by direct contact of the V.

.7 adapted to be folded inwardly upon the end hand therewith.

It is to be stated that my improved device may be made of such differing sizes, as desired."

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a sterilizing receptacle conwhich sterilizing fluid will readily pass, said sheet being divided by three substantially equally spaced transverse fold lines forming two intermediate and two end flaps, one of the intermediate fiaps having extending side flaps, one end flap being folded and returned upon the other adjacent intermediate flap, the marginal ends of these flaps being secured together to form a pocket, theinner marginal edge of the returned flap being disconnected to provide an entrance to the pocket, the remaining end flap adapted to be folded inwardly upon the remaining intermediate flap, the extending side flaps.

flap and the remaining intermediate flap adapted to be folded upon the pocket, an elongated flexible ejecting strip having one end secured to the intermediate flap adjacent the entrance to structed in accordance with my invention isparticularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious'that myinvention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of'the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim: r

j A sterilizing receptacle for obstetrical articles,

the pocket, the said strip being of a length to provide a loop that extends within the pocket to substantially the bottom hereof and having is free end extending out beyond theentrance of the pocket, coacting separable fastening means secured to the outer face of" the flaps immediately adjacent the fold line and along the outer face of the pocket and adapted to hold the flaps when in folded superimposed position with respect to the pocket anda tab secured to the outer edge of the pocket intermediate the ends thereof for holding the pocket while the contents thereof are dispense'd'upon the sterilized flaps when the ejecting strip is pulled.

ZELLA ALBERTA WARD. 

